Your resource for CARE Parenting
(Conscious, Attuned, Responsive and Empathetic)
(We appreciate your patience while this website is under re-construction with a new web host. Am trying to make the links work and to align things so they'll look right on cell phones AND on PCs.
"Secure Babies Strong Children Successful Adults"
The Roots of Morality
How soon should I start teaching my child to be a moral person?
You can't start too soon. In infancy, of course, you can't teach through words, only through actions.
What kinds of actions?
You must be a moral person yourself, and show love, respect, compassion and understanding to your child from the time he or she is born. Treat your baby the way you would want to be treated if you were a baby. (Would you want to be left alone to cry yourself to sleep?)
Research has found that attuned, empathetic and lovingly responsive parenting practices help children develop the parts of the brain that are involved in moral thinking and behavior. The brains of babies whose needs for security, affection and closeness are not met will not be well "wired" for prosocial behavior.
© McCarthy 2011